Four more people killed in Tana River clashes, death toll rises to 18

Four more people have been killed in Meti Village, Tana North sub-county, in fresh tribal clashes, bringing to 18 the total number of people killed over the past one week.

Confirming the killings, Tana River County Commissioner David Koskei said a group of youth from one community armed with a machete attacked a man from another community, leading to a retaliation during which four of the youth were shot dead.

Koskei added that General Service Unit (GSU) officers were mobilized from Bura and were able to bring normalcy in the disturbed area.

This happened as residents from the affected areas criticised Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki for imposing curfew amid the clashes.

They complained that police officers have not been deployed during the day, yet the attacks happen especially in the morning.

They want the gazette notice issued on Friday to be reviewed to exclude business and worship places such as the mosques.

Kindiki, in the said gazette notice, had declared 12 locations in Tana River County as disturbed and dangerous due to insecurity.

He said the order, which takes effect immediately, would run for 30 days and was as a result of of consultation with the National Security Council.

The areas affected are in Bangale Sub-County and Tana North Sub-County.

Those in Bangale are; Madogo, Areri, Saka, Sala, Mororo and Mbalambala locations while those in Tana North include Hirimani, Hosingo, Dukanotu, Chewele, Nanighi and Bura locations.

Following the directive, Inspector-General of National Police Service Douglas Kanja ordered residents in the aforementioned areas to surrender all arms to the police for safe custody.